Why did JBL call Chad Gable the best wrestler in the world?

JBL made this claim following an impressive technical performance by Chad Gable against Ludwig Kaiser during a match in AAA. He lauded the match as a masterclass in chain wrestling that demonstrated elite technical ability.

What match sparked the debate about Chad Gable's skill?

The debate was triggered by a specific technical performance Chad Gable had against Ludwig Kaiser in AAA. This match showcased his technical prowess and chain wrestling skills, leading many to reconsider his standing in the industry.

How do fans feel about JBL's claim regarding Chad Gable?

The wrestling community is currently divided over the claim, with fans split between those who view it as a long-overdue recognition of his talent and skeptics who believe it is an exaggeration or a troll-like take for attention.

What is the main criticism of Chad Gable's career booking?

Critics argue that despite Gable's technical skill, his WWE booking has diminished his credibility for years. He was often relegated to losing matches or serving as a comedic foil, which prevented him from being taken seriously as a top-tier performer.

Who do skeptics compare Chad Gable to in the wrestling world?

Skeptics often compare Gable to high-level global wrestlers like Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson. They argue that to be considered the best, a wrestler must maintain a consistent track record of main-eventing stadiums rather than just performing in select technical clinics.

JBL's wild Chad Gable take has the internet losing its collective mind

The internet is currently a powder keg over JBL's latest claim

If you haven't checked the message boards since JBL dropped his piping hot take about Chad Gable being the best wrestler in the world, consider this your warning: don't. It is absolute anarchy out there right now, folks. The Hall of Famer decided to crown Chad Gable as the undisputed king of the industry following that technical clinic against Ludwig Kaiser in AAA, and honestly? The response has been a mix of pure cult-like adoration and volcanic-level skepticism.

We all saw the match. It was a masterclass in chain wrestling that reminded everyone why we still tune in when the heavyweights vacate the ring. But declaring a guy the absolute best on the planet? That is a bold move in a world where Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson exist. Naturally, the fans are split right down the middle because wrestling fans have never been accused of having nuance.

The believers versus the gatekeepers

The Gable stans are out in full force, treating JBL’s words like Holy Scripture. They point to the way he navigated the transition from Olympic amateurism to big-league entertainment. They argue that his pacing and his ability to make every cradle look like a potential match-ender is a lost art. To them, the guy isn't just a mid-card workhorse anymore; he’s the technician the company clearly failed to headline for a decade.

Then you have the stubborn skeptics who think JBL is just trolling for soundbites. These guys are pulling up the tape from the last five years of G1 Climax tournaments just to prove a point about global standards. Their argument is simple: if you aren't main-eventing stadiums, you're not in the conversation. They see his technical prowess as a gimmick rather than greatness, ignoring the absolute clinic he put on in Mexico that started this whole mess in the first place.

A reality check on the booking

Let’s be real for a second because nobody talks about the elephant in the room: Gable’s booking in WWE has been a rollercoaster that stops at every possible disaster station. You can be the greatest technical wrestler to ever lace up a pair of boots, but when your primary value proposition for three years was being the guy who gets pinned after laughing at a joke, you lose the "best in the world" street cred with the casuals.

The match against Kaiser was a revelation, sure. But it felt more like a reminder of what the company has been hiding in the closet for years. Everyone is suddenly shocked by the guy's ability, but where was this praise when he was just eating losses to help get over the latest babyface-of-the-month? It’s a bit patronizing to act like he only just got good because he wrestled on a different stage.

Who actually has the winning argument?

Honestly? The people crying foul because he isn't racking up championship belts are missing the point entirely. Wrestling isn't a statistical sport like basketball where you can just compare field goal percentages. It is subjective, and if your subjectivity is calibrated toward technical precision rather than pyro and headline matches, Gable moves the needle more than almost anyone else on the current roster.

JBL’s take is probably hyperbole, but it’s the kind of hyperbole that forces us to re-evaluate how we categorize performers. We are often obsessed with the star power of the top guys while ignoring the technical giants who actually keep the product afloat during the long stretches between big events. Gable is the guy you want teaching the next generation, regardless of whether he ever gets the main event push that feels like it’s 5 years overdue.

My personal take? You can't call him the best when his character work has been historically inconsistent. While he is arguably the most polished worker in a pair of trunks, he lacks the aura that someone like Oba Femi is currently manufacturing on the main roster. Wrestling isn't just wrestling, and until Gable finds that next gear in his character arc, he is going to stay in this weird limbo where diehard nerds love him and everyone else just likes him for the funny bits. The debate will keep raging until he gets a massive win to prove it, but for now, it’s just noise in the bar. Drink your beer, watch the replay of that dropkick, and maybe stop taking legends on Twitter so seriously.